Madeira is one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations, and while some might think that it is actually just one island, the title of Madeira is meant for an entire archipelago which features only two populated islands, the largest.

Madeira

Scenery, exotic flowers and crystal waters all around

Madeira – The garden island

The actual island of Madeira, is also known as the Garden Island thanks to its plethora of flowers which are in bloom pretty much all year round thanks to the mild climate, however that is just one of the reasons for why people enjoy spending their vacation time here, Madeira isn’t just for ladies who love flowers.

The islands of the Madeira archipelago are blessed with great seascapes which are coupled with a rich marine wildlife and you can enjoy both of these features the best if you go on a boat-trip or fishing trip around the archipelago, you can find many places that offer half or full-day excursions through Madeira’s bays as well as the Nature Reserve of the Desertas Islands.

The Desertas Islands are two groups of unpopulated islands which are part of the Madeira archipelago, they are called the Desertas and Selvagens Islands.

This is definitely a great place for those who adore splendid sceneries, Madeira is known both for its sub-tropical flora and fauna as well as its touches of colonial charm. A great way of experiencing the interior of the island is simply to walk around it because the levadas or irrigation channels that criss cross the island also form a very expansive network of trails which are just great to attack on foot in order to explore the wonderful volcanic landscapes. This is actually one of the main activities that you can engage in while in Madeira that doesn’t imply any sort of water-based activity.

Madeira

The eastern part of Madeira is also a nature reserve which offers great panoramic views of the Atlantic as well as the islands’ spectacular rock creations created by volcanic activity. Some other of the activities that you can enjoy while in Madeira are sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, horse riding, and as it is more or less traditional for Portugal, golf.

However you cannot visit Madeira and not visit the historic Botanical Gardens that are set above Funchal. Despite the fact that the views from this place, of the city and the surroundings are great, the real attraction is the plethora of exotic plant life.

If you are planning on going there for the first time, you should probably spend a few days in Funchal, Madeira’s capital, this will be rather easy to do since this is where your plane will touch down. Funchal is a great destination all year-round because the summers are never too hot here and the winters are mild, not to mention the fact that the “old city” or center of the city is a wonderful place just to wander around exploring its narrow streets, shops and establishments. You could actually spend your entire holiday in Funchal and never grow bored, or hungry.

This has been just a quick overview of what Madeira has to offer its visitors, but it is rather clear that it can satisfy pretty much any type of vacationer out there.

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Madeira Island – Video

While the entire country of Portugal is a very popular tourist destination, there are places within it which are more popular than other. One example of this would be the Algave region in the south or Portugal, and another would be the Madeira Islands, arguably the most beautiful island in the Atlantic.

Madeira

A floating garden to some, extreme relaxation to others

The rather small archipelago of the Madeira Islands has been described by many as a ‘floating garden’ or the ‘Pearl of the Atlantic’. The garden part comes in as a reflexion of the centuries of successful cultivation that the islands have seen, thanks to the rich volcanic soil, the abundant rainfall and the mild climate.

Madeira

All of these factors are responsible for a varied landscape which ranges from lush river valleys to terraced hillsides planted with vines and bananas to dense primeval forest, it’s a very interesting place to visit for lovers of the outdoor.

The actual island of Madeira is world famous for its jaw-dropping flora, the levadas, or irrigation channels which crisscross the country, carry the excess water from the rainy northern part of the island to the rest of its surface area. Conversely following the course of the levadas is one of the most enjoyable ways that one can explore the countryside.

The island is also bathed in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean and this creates an ideal playground for dolphins and scuba diving in clear waters. There are plenty of chances to go on boat trips around the island as well as engaging in other sea and sand activities such as surfing and swimming. As far as land exploring goes, the volcanic mountain slopes are populated with fragrant eucalyptus woods and this makes walking through them a very relaxing proposition, not to mention the stunning views and scenery.

The coastal resorts cater to all the demands of modern tourism and this as well is projected to increase steadily as more and more people find out about this great holiday destination.

There are several places that you’ll want to see while on your trip there, some of which we’ll mention right now.

The Sao Vicente Caves are actually a series of lava tubes which were left after an eruption that took place about four hundred thousand years ago. These tunnels extend for about a kilometer and they feature various types of lava formations, lava cakes, volcanic stalactites as well as erratic blocks which are a great way of sensing the sheer power of the lava.

Porto Santo is the smaller inhabited island in the Madeira archipelago, and while it is considerably more barren than its larger sister, it does feature an eight kilometer stretch of beach on its southern coast, that comes with golden sands and a temperate climate.

A more unique type of attraction situated in the capital of Funchal is its cable car. Riding the cable car is one of the best diversions of the city and a truly wonderful scenery.

There are of course many more things that you can see and do while on your trip to Madeira, you won’t regret going there for your holiday.

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